In April, Apple launched its “magical and revolutionary” new device, the iPad. Just 28 days later, it seemed the real magic was how Apple sold more than a million devices in that time period. As I write this at the end of May, iPads are in short supply in most Apple stores. Here in the New York City area, I couldn’t find a single iPad 3G, and there were only a few lower-end Wi-Fi models to be found.

Apple’s sales record here is even more impressive if you factor in that iPad is a new class of device, somewhere between the phones and computers that most consumers understand. It’s also a category of device that’s vexed every vendor who’s tried to enter this space over the last decade.

So how did Apple do it? Why did Apple succeed where no one else has and how did they do it so quickly?

The answer is, it took a decade of education and teaching. The key to Apple’s success is that the company often takes the time to explain things to the consumer that no other vendor bothers to do. By keeping a laser focus on key features and introducing them one at a time over a period of years, Apple taught and evangelized everything the consumer needed to know to understand the iPad from day one. Without that foundation, it’s not likely the product would have been nearly the success it has been. READ MORE

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• Opinion: Apple’s secret weapon is consumer education (macworld.com)

So, the day came and I happily went down to the mall and picked up my brand new Ipad! I reserved my copy and skipped all the lines.

1st impression

When buzz about the Ipad started several months back, I had the impression that it would be just another big Iphone. I wasn’t that enthusiastic about it. After all, I already have an Iphone and I do plenty with it just fine. So what was my impression? Exactly that. Actually, I would say that it is more like the Ipod Touch. It doesn’t have a built-in camera, but I suspect that in future releases it will.

Sizes

If  you don’t already know there are three sizes available right now.

• 16 GB
• 32 GB
• 64 GB

Prices start at $499 and up.

Wi-Fi only right now

If you headed down yesterday or thinking about going down to pick up an Ipad, keep in mind that the only ones available right now are Wi-Fi access only. Wi-Fi + 3G and GPS enabled Ipads are not available until the end of this month. With those, you are looking at an ATT Network separate subscription. I do not believe it is included in your Iphone plan’s subscription. For me, I really don’t need that access so I just chose the Wi-Fi. After all, unless you live in a really rural area, pretty much everywhere you go, you’ll find Wi-Fi–granted not all of it free.

The Overview

Please excuse the poor quality video. This is actually my first time using video because I hate looking at myself on camera ( go figure I was a broadcasting major in college). So, next time I do a video I’ll use better equipment!

Using Applications

While the Application store does offer different versions of applications for Iphone and Ipad, you can actually run Iphone applications just fine on Ipad.

Accessing the Internet

As long as you have Wi-Fi access you’ll be able to access the internet from your Ipad. If you already have an Iphone or Ipod Touch, this will be very familiar to you.

Books and Magazines

This is one of the main reasons for Ipad’s release. Steve Jobs wanted to compete with Amazon’s Kindle, knowing how much its success has popularized e-reader devices. But as always, Jobs wants to outdo everyone in the “coolness” factor so the Ipad is meant to be a multimedia device rather than just an e-reader. Nevertheless, this is an option for Ipad users.

Is it an Amazon Kindle Killer?

Many reviewers said prior to its release, that the Ipad was going to be a Kindle killer. I expressed some skepticism because of the different experiences displayed by the two and after playing with Ipad yesterday, I still agree that there is room on the market for both.

Other differences: Besides the natural page look of the Amazon vs. the Ipad, battery life could be an issue. Ipad’s battery life is around 10 hours compared to almost a week of the Kindle not having to be charged. So, in the end, I’m sure there will be people who will be happy to discard their Kindle for the Ipad, but for me, I think I’ll be happy having both. After all, I can sync my kindle books on my Ipad, Iphone and Kindle. I’ll just read my book  on my Ipad if light is an issue.

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